3 Things to Know About Getting Into Defense Robotics for the Government

The history of robotics is traceable all the way back to the invention of mechanical devices and machinery in ancient Egypt, but the history of modern robots is traditionally rooted in the 1950s, with the rise of widespread industrial automation.

Today, robots are nearly everywhere, from the red surface of Mars to the average consumer home and even with the Department of Defense.

Robotics is so prevalent in the 21st century that many college students and recent graduates are pursuing careers in the field.

While it is a lucrative path to follow, especially with the DoD, there are some things to keep in mind before investing your time and money into next-gen robotics.

1. Your Robots Will Require Extensive Testing

Because much of the technology in today’s robots is brand-new and untested in the field, you must complete extensive research, development and testing before your project is ready for the eyes of DoD officials.

Obtaining the appropriate certifications and meeting standards like vulnerability compliance and penetration testing could mean the difference between having your idea approved or heading back to the drawing board.

These tests and certifications are also prone to change at any time. As robotics and drone technologies continue to advance, regulatory agencies will almost certainly place new controls and restrictions on such devices. Those who are unwilling or unable to modify their projects might have to look elsewhere for employment.

2. You Might Have to Adapt to New Laws and Standards in the Future

Just as much of the technology in current- and next-gen robots is brand-new, the entire field of robotics is still evolving.

The current lack of any applicable laws or quality standards might make it easier to get your idea off the ground, but you will be required to upgrade your design as laws and regulations start to take shape. If your project isn’t versatile enough to adapt, you may be better off abandoning it altogether.

Some are comparing modern defense drones to the earliest models of consumer automobiles and commercial aircraft.

Devices like the Predator and PackBot drones are currently somewhat unrestricted in their movements and actions. Even if they are controversial, everyone agrees regulated combat drones have the potential to revolutionize the battlefield as we know it.

3. You'll Have to Balance Robotics Requirements With Hardware Functionality

Perhaps the most significant challenge of defense robots is achieving the perfect balance between your project requirements and the capabilities of the hardware in question. The U.S. military has used unmanned aerial vehicles, or remote-controlled drones, for years.

Many within the DoD are optimistic about introducing other unmanned vehicles — including tanks — to the battlefield, but the technology isn’t quite ready.

The U.S. military currently boasts a fleet of 20,000 unmanned vehicles, including 8,000 aerial drones and 12,000 ground-based units, but some experts see this number climbing into the tens of thousands within the decade or two. This is enough to tip the scales of nearly any conflict in our favor, which is precisely what military leaders are hoping to achieve.

An Emerging, Yet Important, Sector

With rapidly advancing technology creating new opportunities across nearly all professional sectors, it’s easy to understand the importance of familiarizing yourself with next-gen robotics.

As if the DoD wasn’t important enough on its own, their need for the latest and greatest in technology cannot be overstated — it might be critical to the future defense of our nation.

The content & opinions in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of RoboticsTomorrow

Kayla Mathews - Contributing Author

Matthews is a tech journalist and writer, whose work has appeared on websites such as VentureBeat, The Week, VICE's Motherboard and Inc.com. She is also a senior writer at MakeUseOf and the owner of ProductivityBytes.com.

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